Unique independent becomes latest ‘friend of the BID’

A unique and chic independent business offering a time-honoured taste of Northern France from the heart of Nottingham city centre, has become the latest Friend of the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID).

Aubrey’s Traditional Creperie specialises in authentic crepes and galettes from the Brittany region, all served with gourmet coffee or perhaps a cup of genuine Breton Cider if that’s what your taste buds desire!

Twenty-nine-year-old Meg Hale from the Forest Fields area of Nottingham, is the owner of Aubrey’s. With fifteen years’ experience in the catering industry and having graduated with Honours in Service Sector Management from New College Nottingham, she saw an opportunity to create a unique business and play a part in regenerating Nottingham city centre’s West End Arcade.

By becoming a friend of the BID – the organisation that aims to boost income for businesses by attracting more visitors to the city centre – Meg is pleased that Aubrey’s will benefit from opportunities a small independent business might not have had access to otherwise.

“As well as great support around marketing and promotion – particularly through the It’s in Nottingham website and BID events like the Independents initiative and recent Food & Drink Festival – the BID also offers training for business owners and employees, which is a huge help,” says Meg.

The Nottingham BID is currently running a special campaign to highlight the strength and diversity of independent businesses in the city centre and encourage people to ‘shop local.’ The campaign centres around a competition to find Nottingham’s favourite independent as voted for by the public and then judged by an independent panel who will select and announce the winners on 25th October.

Geoff Williams is a director of the Nottingham BID and also the owner of one of Nottingham’s oldest independent businesses, the Tokenhouse on Bridlesmith Gate.

“Nottingham is a fantastic city for shopping, eating, drinking and leisure time, and the BID’s aim is to create lots of these great events and campaigns that enhance the experience that visitors can enjoy. Aubrey’s is an excellent addition to the BID ‘family’ and we’re confident the business will both benefit from, and contribute to our activities in the future.”

Meg adds, “The BID is a great support network for local businesses and it’s especially encouraging for independents in particular to have an input into their city’s development.”